Ride Along Program

Thank you for you interest in the Hastings Police Department Ride Along program. This program is intended to provide you with a basic overview of the duties performed by the men and women of the Hastings Police Department who serve the community of Hastings. We hope your Ride-Along experience will be enjoyable as well as educational. Your safety is our first consideration so please read and complete all the forms in the Ride Along application.

When you application is complete, you can submit it via email to the Ride Along Coordinator or deliver it to the Hastings Police Department front office.  If you have any further questions about the Ride Along program, please contact:

Captain Jason Haase                                                                                                                                                        Ride Along Program Coordinator                                                                                                                                  402-461-2380                                                                                                                                         

 

Hastings Police Department Ride-Along Frequently Asked Questions & Guidelines

WHO CAN RIDE ALONG?

  • Participants in the program must be at least 14 years old.
  • Preference in scheduling a Ride Along is given to those individuals pursuing a career in law enforcement and the criminal justice field.
  • Applicants must be able to display an acceptable reason for desiring a ride-along.

HOW DO I APPLY TO RIDE-ALONG?

  • Applicants must fully complete the Ride-Along Application and sing the necessary waivers. If the applicant is under 19, both the applicant and their parent or legal guardian must sign the waivers.
  • The application and waiver forms must be submitted at least fourteen working days before the desired Ride Along date.
  • Incomplete applications and applications without the signed waiver will be rejected.
  • You will receive notification via email letting you know if you have been approved to ride along and the date and time you are scheduled to ride.
  • Submit the completed application to the HPD front officer or email it to : jhaase@cityofhastings.org

HOW LONG IS A RIDE ALONG AND WHERE DO I GO?

  • Ride-Alongs are generally scheduled in 2-hour blocks and may overlap different patrol shifts.
  • The length of the ride along will be determined based off the reason for the ride along. If you have a specific hour requirement for a class, make sure you note that on your application.
  • Please arrive on time for your scheduled ride along. Come to the lobby of the Police Department and tell the staff your name and that you are scheduled for a ride along. 

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

  • The dress code for Ride Alongs is "Business Casual." Blue Jeans, sweatshirts, leggings, tank tops, shorts, sweatpants, tennis shoes, flip flops, etc. are NOT business casual.
  • Visible tattoos on the hands and arms are permissible. Any other visible tattoos must be covered for the duration of the ride along. 

Hastings Police Department Ride-Along RULES:

  • You must comply with the following rules. Failure to comply with these rules will result in the immediate termination of your Ride-Along and you will not be allowed to participate in the Ride-Along Program in the future.
  • Ride Alongs are observers and you will be under the direct supervision of a police employee. You must comply with all directions and orders given to you by any police employee. You are not to become involved in any incident, conversation, or altercations between police employees and the public.
  • You are expected to conduct yourself in a civil, personable, and courteous manner at all times. 
  • You are to remain seated in the police vehicle unless the officer specifically tells you that you may accompany them. You must wear the vehicle's seat belt at all times while inside the police vehicle.
  • For security and safety reasons, participants are not allowed to handle or use any of the officer's equipment of the equipment in the patrol vehicle unless called upon by an officer in an extreme life-threatening emergency.
  • In the event that the officer has to respond to a potentially dangerous situation of hazardous call, you may be dropped off at a safe location away for the incident.  If this occurs, you will be given specific instructions to follow and the officer will arrange for another police employee to pick you up.
  • You may not carry any personal weapons with you during your Ride-Along.
  • You may not record and audio or video unless specifically told to do so by the officer you are with. 
  • You may carry your cell phone with you, but its use should be limited to emergencies or prolonged periods of inactivity.